This oil painting shows a gladiator, a Thrax, standing in victory over his opponent, a Retiarius. The vanquished foe lifts his finger to the audience in supplication, begging for mercy. This particular contest would have taken place sometime during the Imperial period, when the Retiarius became a prominent class of gladiator. The painting was inspired by a sculpture made by Gerome.

Gladiators were categorized into types; among them were the Thrax or Thraex (Thracian) and the Retiarius. Each gladiatorial type had a different way of fighting. The Thrax was fairly well armored with both legs protected by mid-thigh grieves. He wore a wide belt made of leather to protect his abdomen. Attached to that was a chain mail cloth that protected his right hip and thigh. His sword arm was protected by scaled armor from wrist to shoulder. He held a gladius (a short Iberian thrusting sword) in his right hand. Or, he might fight with a Thracian curved sword, On his left, he carried a small shield, called a buckler. His helmet protected his head and face but significantly impaired his vision. The Thrax was usually big and muscular but slow moving. The Retiarius, on the other hand, relied on his speed and coordination. Armed only with a trident and a net, along with a stabbing dagger, the Retiarius had one of his arms protected by chain mail or a thick cloth wrapped in leather. He also had a shoulder guard. Otherwise, he had no protection for any other part of his body. Usually the Retiarius was paired with a Murmillo, literally, fish man, a Secutor (follower or pursuer) or a Thrax (Thracian).